Peripherals forum: Brand compatable ink cartridges

Here's the thing with Epson cartridges. You can't refill (effectively anyway!) original manufacturer cartridges. They have a hydroPHOBIC (hates water) sponge inside that is filled under pressure at the factory and you can't do that at home. You CAN get compatible cartridges and refill those, because their sponges are hydroPHILLIC (loves water). Original cartridges will allow ink to be put in, but since it isn't in the sponge - just sitting in the bottom of the case - it doesn't feed right, drips out and runs out almost immediately.

I have refilled literally hundreds of cartridges for the printers at my work. You shouldn't need a drill for the Epson cartridges because you really only need to go through the paper covering the top hole. You will then cover this hole with a piece of masking tape to keep the vacuum balanced. There is already a hole to allow ink out.

Every refill kit instructions I have seen say to work over a sink or such to prevent problems in case of spillage. I have cheated and filled by the printer a couple of times, but I knew the risk I was taking.

And of course this whole discussion doesn't apply to the newer machines with a chip on the cartridge. You can't use those once the printer has burned the chip after so many drops. (Which is why I switched to Canon for my work printers! Cartridges are so cheap I don't even bother to refill.)